The Enquirer/Liz Dufour ?We can?t fall behind other cities ... when it comes to public transportation or we?ll lose a competitive advantage,? Jason Dunn writes. SORTA is holding listening sessions to get feedback on the region's transportation needs.(Photo: The Enquirer/Liz Dufour)Buy Photo

Metro is participating in the 13th annual Dump the Pump Day, which offers a free one-day pass for people who download the Cincy EZRide app and sign up through Metro’s Facebook page. Free passes were available through noon on Wednesday.

The goal, according to a Metro news release, is to encourage people to opt for public transportation over personal vehicles.

According to the American Public Transportation Association, the average household spends 18 cents of every dollar on transportation. A two-person household could save more than $10,000 a year by downsizing to one car and using public transit instead.

“With rising gas prices, now is the perfect time to swap the gas pump for a bus pass,” the release states.

The push for more riders comes as SORTA, Metro’s operating agency, is in the final stages of deciding whether to put a levy on the ballot this fall. Metro is facing a $184 million budget deficit over the next decade, and that – coupled with dwindling ridership –is putting the system in a tight spot.

In April, ridership was down nearly 7 percent compared to the same month one year ago.

And the agency is projecting even steeper declines in the future, partially due to expected fare increases.